Topline
States of emergency have been declared for some parts of the U.S. in the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse, as state and local officials look to free up resources as they prepare for an influx of visitors for the nation’s first solar eclipse in seven years.
Such declarations are part of preparation in Texas, Arkansas, Indiana and New York for influxes of ... [+]
Key Facts
Officials in Essex County, New York declared a state of emergency Wednesday to run from April 6-10, according to NBC affiliate WPTZ, to prepare for the expected tourist influx and possible cell service disruptions—a similar declaration was made in the state’s Oswego County, WSYR reported.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, alongside a handful of counties and cities citing increased traffic and preparing for potential emergencies, have issued emergency declarations—the state could have an influx of more than a million visitors, according to eclipse tracking organization Great American Eclipse.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a state of emergency declaration on March 26, effective until 11:59 p.m. on April 9, to prepare for an increase in visitors that could complicate emergency responses.
Holcomb’s executive order cited the state’s membership in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national mutual aid program that allows states to call on others for assistance or resources when a governor issues a state of emergency.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders issued a state of emergency declaration on April 5 and released $100,000 in funds from the state’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund.
State of emergency declarations can trigger several potential means of assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including individual assistance for small businesses and households, as well as public assistance programs for road systems, public facilities and other emergency protective measures.
On county and city levels, such declarations allow local officials to get assistance from state emergency management agencies—but local and state governments can directly request assistance from the federal government if needed, including asking the president to declare a major disaster, according to FEMA.
What To Watch For
Officials in Riverside, Ohio are expected to vote on a potential state of emergency declaration Thursday evening, according to Dayton Daily News. The measure, which is expected to pass, would run from Friday until midnight on April 12 as the area prepares for traffic congestion.
Tangent
Canada’s Niagara Region also preemptively issued a state of emergency declaration on March 29, as officials in Niagara Falls, Ontario have said they expect up to a million tourists for the event.
Big Number
Between 931,000 and more than 3.7 million. That’s how many people are expected to travel in the U.S. to areas within the eclipse’s path of totality Monday, according to Great American Eclipse. Some 31 million people live in the path of totality.
Key Background
While Monday’s eclipse will be at least partially visible throughout all 48 contiguous states, the path of totality begins in Texas and heads in a narrow band up toward the Northeast. Several institutions and organizations, including NASA and the National Science Foundation, are planning to livestream the event for those not in the path of totality. There will not be another visible total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. for another two decades, until 2044, according to NASA. The most recent total solar eclipse across the contiguous U.S. was in 2017.
Further Reading
Everything To Know About The Total Solar Eclipse—Including Map And Path Tracker (Forbes)
Here’s How The Niagara Falls Region Is Readying For An Influx Of Eclipse Tourists (Forbes)
Why Gov. Holcomb declared a state of emergency ahead of the solar eclipse (The Indianapolis Star)
Local city plans to declare weeklong state of emergency around solar eclipse (Dayton Daily News)
The Purkinje Effect: Why Scientists Say To Wear Green And Red During The Eclipse (Forbes)
